Everyone Wants to Buy a Ford Bronco

Despite a string of safety recalls, it is not all bad news for Ford Motor Co. The automaker is seeing Bronco sales rise.

Ford’s revived SUV gained ground on the Jeep Cherokee, as Bronco sales jumped by more than 25% in January, The Detroit Free Press reports.

Ford sold 10,170 Broncos over the month, just behind the 10,173 Jeep Wrangler sales during the same stretch. The Bronco is already outselling the Wrangler in some regions of the country, with a significant market share increase in only a few months since its launch.

Ford has been aggressive in its marketing and product strategies for the Bronco, offering a range of models with different engine and trim options. The Bronco has also been marketed as a lifestyle vehicle.

The Wrangler has been the market leader in the off-road SUV segment for decades, with a loyal fan base that values the vehicle's iconic design and off-road capabilities. Its critics point to a lack of modern technology features and limited engine options.

Jeep recently responded to that feedback by launching a new version of the Wrangler, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392. The vehicle features a powerful V8 engine and other new bells and whistles.

Ford Has a Recall Problem

The promising sales figures come as Ford is trying to turn the corner on a slew of safety problems facing the company and anyone who drives its cars.

Ford ended 2022 with the dubious distinction of having issued the most recalls over the year. The automaker announced a total of 67 separate recalls, NHTSA data show, far surpassing the 45 recalls by the next closest manufacturer, Volkswagen.

Near the end of the year, the company said it was calling back more than half a million sport utility vehicles. It told regulators that faulty fuel injectors could crack, causing engine fires.

In April 2022, Ford recalled roughly 345,000 vehicles, citing a similar risk of fires stemming from oil leaks.

While Ford is a leader in recalls, the company is not alone. The world’s largest car manufacturers call back millions of vehicles every year, citing a wide range of defects that pose serious safety risks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced last summer that it was investigating a possible parking brake defect in certain Jeep Cherokee SUVs. The probe, which covers some 1.3 million vehicles, followed roughly 80 complaints that water leaking into the cars makes parking brakes inoperable.

California Car Owners: Know Your Lemon Law Rights

Car owners in the Golden State have some important rights and protections when it comes to defective vehicles.

The lemon law generally requires car manufacturers to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces the companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) cars that they cannot or will not fix. That includes covering the vehicle’s purchase price and financing costs, as well as rental car and other related expenses.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.